Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of indole-based drugs. Its structure supports the construction of complex molecules in medicinal chemistry, especially in creating analogs for biological testing. The cyanomethyl group allows for further functionalization, enabling the formation of amines or carboxylic acid derivatives. The tert-butyl carbamate (Boc) protection on the indole nitrogen provides stability during reactions and can be selectively removed under mild acidic conditions, making it valuable in multi-step organic syntheses. Commonly employed in research settings for developing serotonin receptor modulators and other neuroactive agents.